Want to learn to code but don’t know where to start? Start here.
An introduction to what you're getting into.
Earlier this week, a post about my "trucker to developer" story went viral on Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Instagram, garnering the attention of thousands of people who would love to learn to code and work in tech but don’t know where to even start. If that’s you, read on.
Table of Contents
Before you learn to code, learn to search.
Google is developers’ best friend. YouTube is a close second. If you don’t know how or refuse to use these websites to look up basic information, you will not become a software developer. I don’t make the rules, but searching and unblocking yourself is a required skill.
I know I’m being mean by linking these questions to a Google search instead of answering them, but I want you to start practicing today. You got this. Good luck!
The reason why searching is #1 is because you’re new to tech and don’t know your left from your right. At this stage, you’d want to gather as much information as possible before deciding which path to take.
Look up the information yourself and stop waiting on others.
What comes after searching? Reading.
Be prepared to read a lot. Documentations, tutorials, guidelines, and code come in all sizes. They range from a single paragraph to several pages long and link to several other pages. You better get comfortable with reading.
There’s a method to this madness, though. Developers don’t read every single word on the page. We skim read.
Aside from being a slow reader, I don’t like or enjoy reading at all. I haven’t read a book in years, but I read documentation and guidelines because I have to. It’s what I do for a living. So do you if you want to become a developer.
Am I too old to learn to code?
I’d love to say your age doesn’t matter, but it does. You might be too old if you’re in your 60s or 70s. However, don’t worry about it if you’re younger than that. I saw many people in their 40s and 50s break into tech.
The funny thing is that this question is mostly asked by those in their late 20s and 30s. I was 26 when I decided to learn to code, and people around me said that I was too old and should have learned to code at 16. I’m glad I didn’t listen to that nonsense.
There’s a misconception that tech is a young man’s game, which is completely false. From personal experience, architects, team leads, and senior developers were in their 40s.
The answer is a big NO.
What should you learn? Web or mobile?
I’m not answering this question because it’s personal.
You should research and decide for yourself. Generally speaking, web and mobile are equally lucrative. Just because mobile app development worked for me doesn’t necessarily mean it would work for you, and vice versa.
Taking a few days to research and find what interests you will save you a lot of time and headaches down the line. It’s difficult to stay focused when what you’re working on doesn’t interest you, especially when it wasn’t even your pick. It’s critical that you research and decide for yourself.
Forgot about learning backend development or becoming a full stack developer. Without getting into it, backend development requires deep knowledge of how systems work, and full stack development is a myth.
This leaves you with front end development, which could involve building websites or mobile apps. Here’s why:
They’re easy to get into and get going. All you need is a computer and access to the internet.
There are tons of free resources on the internet.
It’s easy to showcase your skills by building a personal website or a free app.
You don't need credentials to get a job if you can demonstrate that you know what you're talking about.
What’s the best programming language to learn?
Wrong question. There’s no such thing as the "best programming language" because they’re just tools to help you get the job done. For example, JavaScript is NOT the best language, but it’s used to build websites.
Stop thinking in absolutes.
I’m a mobile app developer, and we use a language called Dart. I don’t know Kotlin, Swift, or Python, and I don’t have to, because I don’t need to. However, I learned JavaScript out of curiosity but haven’t used it professionally yet.
Understanding programming concepts matters more than the language you’re coding in. Focus on learning:
Data types, primitive and non-primitive
Structuring functions/classes
Asynchronous programming
Throwing and handling errors
Reading console output
The best plan to learn to code
Every self taught developer who followed this simple, boring plan succeeded. It isn’t fancy, but it makes sense.
Learn the basics of your tech stack.
Web developers learn HTML, CSS, React, and JavaScript.
Flutter developers learn Dart and Flutter.
Android developers learn Kotlin.
iOS developers learn Swift.
Build a personal project that showcases your skills. Basically, what will employers get if they hire you? It could be a fancy personal website or a free mobile app for a nonprofit organization.
Publish your project.
If it’s an app, make sure it’s available on the app store so that anyone can download and run it.
If it’s a website, make sure it’s hosted somewhere and is reachable.
Create a simple resume and list your project(s).
Apply and interview for jobs.
How to interview is a skill you’ll have to learn at this stage.
Land a job.
Keep in mind: the harder you work, the luckier you get.
Don’t pay for courses. FreeCodeCamp and YouTube are free.
This takes us back to the first step. There are tons of excellent, free resources on the internet. You just have to find them.
If you believe that "free courses aren’t worth it," Udemy is a great place to buy high-quality courses.
How long does it take to get a job as a developer?
The answer varies so widely that it’s almost impossible to give one. However, most self taught developers make it within 1 to 2 years.
Yes, there are tech influencers who made it in 3 months, but they’re the exception rather than the rule.
Is it possible to make it in 3 months? Yes.
Is it probable? I don’t think so.
Final words
Learning to code is a journey that you embark on when you’re ready. You aren’t competing with anyone but yourself. You’re on the right track as long as you’re progressing forward, regardless of how long it takes.
Remember, it’s okay to take a day or two off to recharge and come back with vengeance. Always take care of yourself. Everything else comes second.
I wish you all the best, and we both know you can make it.
If you still have questions, doubts, or would like to talk to someone who successfully broke into tech, you can book a 1:1 call with me.
This is a quick post that I put together in a few hours and will be updating frequently. Reach out if you’ve good info that you think should be added here. This isn’t the final draft.
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